Cummins/Onan DFE troubleshooting: 82 fault codes and symptom-cause-remedy entries from the manufacturer's own service documentation.
Cummins/Onan DFE — full specs, parts & maintenance.
All Cummins/Onan fault codes →
| Code | Meaning | Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 212 | Shutdown lamp lights. | Indicates engine has overheated (coolant temperature has risen above the shutdown trip point: 223° F – standby / 215° F – primary) or the coolant level is low. Allow engine to cool down completely before proceeding with the following checks: | A. Check coolant level and replenish if low. Look for coolant leakage and repair if necessary. b. Check for obstructions to cooling airflow and correct as necessary. c. Check fan belt and repair or tighten if necessary. d. Reset control and restart after locating and correcting problem. Contact an authorized service center if none of the above. |
| 101 | Engine continues to operate at reduced RPM. | Indicates that the engine is operating in idle mode. When the set is operating in the RUN mode, grounding the engine idle input causes generator build-up to be inhibited and the engine to be governed at 800 RPM. When ground is removed from this input, the set returns to normal speed and voltage. | |
| 102 | Engine shuts down and will not crank. | Indicates local or remote Emergency Stop. | To reset the local Emergency Stop button: Pull the button out or turn the switch clockwise (button with arrow) and allow it to pop out. Move the Run/Off/Auto switch to Off. Press the Reset switch. Select Run or Auto, as required. |
| 213 | The light will display the fault codes (active or inactive) in succession, starting with the most recent. Up to 32 (unacknowledged) fault codes can be stored in control panel memory. | ||
| 146 | HIGH COOLANT TEMP WARNING | A. Reduce load if possible by turning off non-critical loads. b. Check air inlets and outlets and remove any obstructions to airflow. If engine can be stopped, follow 151 High Coolant Temp Alarm procedure. | |
| 151 | HIGH COOLANT TEMP ALARM | A. Check jacket water coolant level and replenish if low. Look for coolant leakage and repair if necessary. b. Check for obstructions to cooling airflow and correct as necessary. c. Check fan belt and repair if necessary. d. Reset control and restart after locating and correcting problem. | |
| 152 | LOW COOLANT TEMP | A. Coolant heater not connected to power supply. Check for blown fuse or disconnected heater cord and correct as required. b. Check for low jacket water coolant level and replenish if required. Look for possible coolant leakage points and repair as required. | |
| 197 | COOLANT LEVEL WARNING | A. Check jacket water coolant level and replenish if low. Look for possible coolant leakage points and repair if necessary. b. Reset control and restart after locating and correcting problem. | |
| 235 | COOLANT LEVEL ALARM | A. Check jacket water coolant level and replenish if low. Look for possible coolant leakage points and repair if necessary. b. Reset control and restart after locating and correcting problem. | |
| 359 | ENGINE FAILED TO START | A. Poor battery cable connections. Clean the battery cable terminals and tighten all connections. b. Discharged or defective battery. Recharge or replace the battery. | |
| 441 | LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE | A. Discharged or defective battery. Check the battery charger fuse. Recharge or replace the battery. b. Poor battery cable connections. Clean the battery cable terminals and tighten all connections. c. Check engine DC alternator. Replace engine DC alternator if normal battery charging voltage (24 to 26 VDC) is not obtained. d. Check float level if applicable (raise float level). | |
| 442 | HIGH BATTERY VOLTAGE | A. Check float level on battery charger if applicable (lower float level). b. Check engine DC alternator. Replace engine DC alternator if normal battery charging voltage (24 to 26 VDC) is not obtained. | |
| 1437 | FAULT HISTORY: 1 OF 24 CNTL HOURS 459 OCCURRENCES 5 ENGINE HOURS 334 | ||
| 1131 | Battle Short Active | ||
| 1416 | Fail To Shut Down | ||
| 1471 | Over Current | ||
| 2342 | Too Long in Idle | ||
| 2968 | AVR Fault | ||
| 2972 | Field Overload | ||
| 2331 | Low AC Voltage | ||
| 2358 | High AC Voltage | ||
| 427 | CAN Datalink Lost Message | ||
| 781 | CAN Datalink Lost Messages | ||
| 1245 | CAN - Engine Shutdown | ||
| 1246 | CAN - Unknown Engine Fault | ||
| 1247 | CAN - Engine Unannounced Fault | ||
| 1248 | CAN - Engine Warning Fault | ||
| 121 | Speed Signal Lost | ||
| 135 | Oil Pressure Sensor High | ||
| 141 | Oil Pressure Sensor Low | ||
| 143 | Pre-Low Oil Pressure Sensor | ||
| 144 | Coolant Temperature Sensor High | ||
| 145 | Coolant Temperature Sensor Low | ||
| 234 | Overspeed | ||
| 415 | Low Oil Pressure | ||
| 1123 | Shutdown After Battle Short | ||
| 1124 | Delayed Shutdown | ||
| 1244 | Engine Normal Shutdown | ||
| 1311 | Customer Inputs #1 | ||
| 1312 | Customer Inputs #2 | ||
| 1317 | Customer Inputs #3 | ||
| 1318 | Customer Inputs #4 | ||
| 1334 | Crit Scaler OR | ||
| 1335 | Non-Crit Scaler OR | ||
| 1417 | Power Down Failure | ||
| 1433 | Emergency Stop | ||
| 1434 | Remote Emergency Stop | ||
| 1435 | Low Coolant Temperature | ||
| 1438 | Fail to Crank | ||
| 1442 | Weak Battery | ||
| 1443 | Battery Failed | ||
| 1444 | KW Overload | ||
| 1445 | Short Circuit | ||
| 1446 | High AC Voltage | ||
| 1447 | Low AC Voltage | ||
| 1448 | Under Frequency | ||
| 1449 | Over Frequency | ||
| 1461 | Loss of Field | ||
| 1466 | Modem Failure | ||
| 1468 | Network Error | ||
| 1469 | Speed/Hz Match | ||
| 1472 | Over Current | ||
| 2335 | Excitation Fault | ||
| 2336 | Memory Error | ||
| 2341 | High Control Temperature | ||
| 2967 | Governor Fault | ||
| 2969 | LON Failure |
| Symptom | Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Warning lamp lights. | LOW COOLANT TEMP 210 – WARNING | Set is in standby mode but is not operating. Warning occurs when engine coolant temperature is 70° F (21° C) or lower. NOTE: In applications where the ambient temperature falls below 40°F (4°C), Low Engine Temp may be indicated even though the coolant heaters are operating. |
| Engine starts from generator control panel but will not start automatically or from a remote panel. (Note: The Run/Off/Auto switch must be in the Auto position for automatic or remote starting). | Check the control wiring between the remote switch and the PCC. Contact an authorized service center. | |
| No AC output voltage. | Contact an authorized service center. | |
| Control does not power up when the Run/Off/Auto switch is set to Run or the Self Test switch is pressed. | There is no DC power to the control. | A. Check for battery disconnected, discharged, or improperly connected. b. Fuse F1 (20A/32V, Type 3AG) may be open. Replace with the same type. |
| Warning, Shutdown, and Non-Automatic lamps are not lit. Digital display shows main menu or selected menu. | Indicates all engine systems are normal. No corrective action required | |
| Non-Automatic lamp flashes. | Indicates Run/Off/Auto switch is not in the Auto position. This will prevent automatic starting if an automatic transfer switch is used. | Move the Run/Off/Auto switch to the Auto position for automatic operation. |
| Generator does not start | Faulty starter motor, bad battery, or poor connections | Check the starter motor, battery condition, and electrical connections |
| Engine runs rough | Worn engine components, incorrect fuel mixture, or dirty air filter | Inspect and replace worn parts, adjust fuel mixture, clean air filter |
| Not in Auto Indicator: This red lamp flashes continuously when the 0/Manual/Auto switch is not in the Auto position. | (If in Auto position and lamp is flashing, service is required.) | |
| Shutdown Status Indicator: This red lamp is lit whenever the control detects a shutdown condition. The generator set can not be started when this lamp is on. | After the condition is corrected, shutdown indicators can be reset by turning the 0/Manual/Auto switch to the 0 position, and pressing the Fault Acknowledge button. | |
| Warning Status Indicator: This yellow lamp is lit whenever the control detects a warning condition. | After the condition is corrected, warning indicators can be reset by pressing the Fault Acknowledge button. (It is not necessary to stop the generator set if the fault becomes inactive during genset operation.) | |
| If the engine does not start, the starter will disengage after a specified period of time and the control will indicate an overcrank shutdown. | To clear a Fail To Start shutdown, place the 0/Manual/Auto switch in the 0 position and press the Fault Acknowledge button. Wait two or more minutes for the starter motor to cool and then repeat the starting procedure. | |
| Engine does not start | None specified in text | Place the O/Manual/Auto switch in the O position and press the Fault Acknowledge/Reset button. Wait two minutes for the starter motor to cool and then repeat the starting procedure. If the engine does not run after a second attempt, refer to the Troubleshooting section. |
| Fail to Start shutdown | None specified in text | Place the O/Manual/Auto switch in the O position and press the Fault Acknowledge/Reset button. Before attempting to restart, wait two minutes for the starter motor to cool and then repeat the starting procedure. If the engine does not run after a second attempt, refer to the Troubleshooting section. |
| Low Coolant Temp (Code 1435) message | Engine jacket water coolant temperature falls below 70°F (21°C). In applications where ambient temperature is below 40°F (4°C), a cold engine may be indicated even though the coolant heaters are connected and operating correctly. |
Fault codes and symptom→remedy steps extracted from this model’s service/owner documentation; verify against the official manual before servicing.
Documented causes: LOW COOLANT TEMP 210 – WARNING. See the table for the matching fixes.
Documented causes: Indicates engine has overheated (coolant temperature has risen above the shutdown trip point: 223° F – standby / 215° F – primary) or the coolant level is low. Allow engine to cool down completely before proceeding with the following checks:. See the table for the matching fixes.
Documented causes: There is no DC power to the control.. See the table for the matching fixes.